Patrick Anderson (Mount Lebanon)
Regionals Performance: Anderson took sixth at Foot Locker Northeast in what turned into a mad dash to the line for the qualifiers. Only 2 seconds separated spots 2 through 9. Anderson clocked a big PR of 15:38 on a challenging Van Cortlandt Park course. It was his first regionals appearance of his career.
Season Recap: 2018 was a dream season for Anderson. The junior had some momentum coming off the spring track season that saw him run 4:18 for 1,600 meters (he took 6th in AAA in the event). Anderson claimed early season wins at Cal U. and Kiski. He was third at the PIAA Foundation Invitational. His first big breakthrough came in the TSTCA Championships at Roadman Park, where he beat out North Allegheny standout and NXN qualifier Zach Kinne. A week later, he took second to NA's Dan McGoey at the WPIAL Championships.
Anderson's big moment came at Hershey, where he out-dueled Kinne and McGoey in the final half mile on a muddy course to take the AAA state title. He became the first non-senior since 2014 (Jake Brophy) to win the state title. After placing 22nd at XC states last year, 2018 was a huge improvement for Anderson.
Foot Locker Nationals Outlook: Saturday will be Anderson's nationals debut. He's seemingly defied expectations every step of the way this fall and getting better every race. His 15:38 at Van Cortlandt was evidence of that. The hill at Balboa Park is tough, but it's nothing Anderson hasn't seen this season having raced at Cal U's Roadman Park three times and twice at Hershey -- two of the toughest courses around.
The field is relatively wide open with a number of top names having raced NXN last week. Finishing in the top half of field is certainly doable and with a great race, Anderson could even sneak into All-American placing.